Portable gas monitor

ABSTRACT

A portable monitor used to measure landfill gas and landfill well parameters. The portable monitor includes a control unit and a measuring unit that can communicate wirelessly with one another. The control unit and/or measuring unit can include a heating arrangement to increase the temperature of one or more components in the control unit and/or measuring unit in cold environments.

The present patent application is a divisional U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/567,176 filed Aug. 6, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,592,543,issued Mar. 14, 2017), which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/104,274 filed May 10, 2011, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/634,186filed Dec. 5, 2006 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,168,121, issued May 1, 2012)which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present patent application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/104,274 filed May 10, 2011, which claimspriority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/453,655 filed Mar.17, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention is directed to portable fluid monitoring systems,particularly to a portable fluid monitoring system used to measure fluidpressure and/or fluid composition, and even more particularly to aportable gas monitoring system used to measure gas pressures andcompositions of gasses at a plurality of different wells that arelocated in a location remote from one another. The portable fluidmonitor is particularly useful in measuring gas pressures andcompositions of gasses from landfill wells; however, the portable fluidmonitor can be used for other or additional applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Landfills are commonly formed by depositing municipal solid waste andmany other types of trash in a canyon or pit (or even on flat ground)and depositing soil on top of the solid waste and trash. It is commonfor there to be alternating layers of trash and soil, one atop anotherin the landfill. The waste and soil layers are individually andcollectively porous media through which gas may readily flow. Oncemunicipal waste is disposed of at a landfill, the organic portion of thewaste begins to decompose. This decomposition initially proceeds throughan aerobic biodegradation process wherein much of the available oxygenin the buried waste is consumed. This decomposition produces endproducts which are primarily carbon dioxide and water. After a while,usually ranging from a few weeks to several months, the waste consumesessentially all the free oxygen in the landfill. The decomposition ofthe waste then proceeds through an anaerobic biodegradation process.During the anaerobic decomposition of the waste, microbes break down thecellulose and other organic wastes to produce methane (CH₄) and carbondioxide (CO₂). The landfill gas (LFG) that is formed typically includesabout 55% methane, 44% carbon dioxide and less than 1% trace gas. Thetrace gases consist of a wide variety of volatile compounds, which varydepending on the particular landfill.

As anaerobic gas production proceeds, the methane and carbon dioxideconcentration in the landfill increases. The mixture of methane andcarbon dioxide eventually begins to migrate within the landfill towardthe surface of the landfill and into the atmosphere. Surface emissionsof landfill gas are not desirable since the primary constituents of thelandfill gas are known green house gases. In addition, the trace gasesin the landfill gas can also lead to the formation of ozone, and/orresult in undesirable odors. Furthermore, the landfill gas may migratelaterally in the subsurface of the landfill and accumulate in nearbybuildings or other structures, thereby creating potentially dangerousconditions due to the methane content of landfill gas. Also, thelandfill gas may move to regions containing ground water, therebypotentially resulting in the contamination of the ground water. As such,it is desirable to collect landfill gas to prevent these negativeenvironmental effects. Also, it is desirable to collect landfill gas forenergy recovery purposes since the methane content of landfill gas canbe used as a source of fuel.

Landfill gas well extraction systems are commonly used to controllandfill gas surface emissions, control landfill gas subsurfacemigration away from the landfill, and often to collect landfill gas forenergy recovery. These extraction systems typically include one or morevertical and/or horizontal landfill gas extraction wells that are influid communication with one or more header piping systems. The headerpiping system is, in turn, fluidly connected to a vacuum source (e.g.,centrifugal blower, etc.).

When the methane concentration is relatively high and nitrogen isrelatively low in the landfill gas, for example, little or no air may bepenetrating the landfill, thus the extraction rate of the landfill gascan be increased. When the extracted landfill gas is nitrogen rich andmethane poor, and/or when oxygen is in the landfill gas, or when themolecular ratio of carbon dioxide to methane is high signalingsubstantial amounts of aerobic decomposition, the extraction rate of thelandfill gas is reduced.

The process of controlling flow of the landfill gas into the landfillwell is known as “tuning.” Various techniques have been used to “tune”the flowrate of landfill gas into the well. One technique is to adjustthe wellhead valve position. If the wellhead valve position is notcalibrated for a given flow rate, this method of operation is not veryreliable. The position of the valve handle typically does not providesufficient information about the well to control it. Another techniqueis to control the flowrate by controlling the wellhead vacuum. Thistechnique relies on the relationship of well pressure/vacuum to flow fora given well. Reliance upon this method of operation is difficult sincethe relationship between flow and pressure is difficult to affect whileperforming day-to-day well field adjustments. As decomposition,moisture, and other conditions change, this method can also becomeunreliable.

Another technique is to control the flowrate by using a fixed orportable flow measurement device at each wellhead to obtain data neededto calculate volumetric (or mass) flow rates of the landfill gas beingextracted from the landfill. This method of control is the most accurateand reliable of the various techniques used to control landfill gasflowrate into the well. The measurements can also be used to monitor thequantity of methane extracted (Landfill gas flowrate times percentmethane in landfill gas) and/or the quantity of BTUs recovered per hour(landfill gas flowrate times percent methane in landfill gas times BTUsper cubic foot of Methane times 60 minutes per hour). Measuring theflowrate of landfill gas from the landfill is an essential part ofmonitoring and adjusting a well in a landfill. The well should beadjusted until the amount of methane recovered is maximized for the longterm. A greater amount of methane or energy can usually be recoveredover the short term; however, this ultimately leads to diminishingreturns. This is seen in stages as increased carbon dioxide and gastemperature, and later as increased oxygen from well over-pull. In time,the methane content in the landfill gas will decline, resulting in aportion of the landfill, usually at the surface, being driven aerobic.The frequency of landfill well monitoring can vary. Normal monitoringfrequency for a complete field monitoring session with full fieldreadings will vary from typically once a month to once a week. Wellfield monitoring should not normally be extended beyond one month.Typical field readings for each well includes a) name of field tester,b) location of landfill well, c) date/time of readings of landfill well,d) landfill gas composition (e.g., methane, oxygen, carbon dioxide,nitrogen, etc.), e) wellhead gas temperature, f) ambient airtemperature, g) static pressure of wellhead, h) applied vacuum pressurein wellhead, i) wellhead gas flow, j) wellhead adjustment valveposition, k) new wellhead vacuum and flow information after any flowrateadjustment, l) calculation of landfill gas flowrate and methaneflowrate; and m) comments and/or notes regarding well, landfill, testingprocedure, etc. Other types of gasses in the landfill gas may be tested(e.g., carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide, etc.) if problems aresuspected in the landfill.

A portable gas monitor is commonly used to “tune” landfill gas flowrateinto the well. The equipment cost, equipment maintenance, and personnelcosts for constantly monitoring a gas well is generally too expensiveand unnecessary to properly monitor a landfill well. The composition ofthe extracted landfill gas and the pressure in the well is measuredperiodically (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). Generally, a landfillwell is monitored every month, three months, six months or twelve monthsdepending on the size of the well, the location of the well and the gasvolume flowing from the well. One type of prior art portable gas monitorcurrently used is a monitor offered by Landtec, a division of CES, Inc.Landtec currently offers several models of portable gas monitors, namelySEM-500, GEM 500, GEM 2000 and GEM 2000 PLUS. These portable monitorsare carried to a landfill or landfill well, temporarily connected to thelandfill well, measure information from the connected landfill well,disconnected from the landfill well, carried to another landfill well ona same or different landfill, temporarily connected to the new landfillwell, measure information from the connected to new landfill well,disconnected from the new landfill well, etc. This process is repeatedfor each different landfill being measured by the portable monitor.These portable monitors are designed to only monitor and measure onelandfill well at a time. These devices can be used to measure thelandfill gas composition being drawn from the landfill well, thetemperature of the landfill gas, and the vacuum being drawn on thelandfill, etc. The testing procedure at each well can take about 3-60minutes, depending on the type of well and number of measurements takenfrom the well. These readings are then used to “tune” the flowrate oflandfill gas being drawn from the landfill. After the desired readingsare obtained, the portable gas monitor is disconnected from the landfillwell and then subsequently reconnected to a different landfill well toobtain readings from such different landfill well.

Although these portable monitors enable the testing of wells, theseportable monitors have several drawbacks. During the fall, winter andsprings months, the outside temperature can drop to below 40° F. invarious regions of the world. Operation of these prior art portablemonitors can begins to slow down in colder temperatures, and in somesituations, the portable monitor will malfunction or altogether stopfunctioning in colder temperatures. These monitors include internalanalytical components and LCD screens that tend to malfunction or failin colder weather. As such, when the internal analytical componentsand/or LCD screen does not properly work, the operator cannot obtainand/or take readings from the portable monitor or operate the functionsof the portable monitor. As such, during the testing of a landfill well,the testing period may be significantly extended due to slow operationof the portable monitor or be interrupted when the portable monitorfails to properly operate. The only recourse by an operator when amonitor fails is to use a new monitor for testing, detach the monitorfrom the well and bring the monitor into a warm environment to “thawout” the monitor, or delay testing of the well until there is a warmerday.

Another problem with these prior art portable monitors is that themonitor cannot simultaneously measure the applied vacuum on the well,the differential vacuum on the well, and the available vacuum that canbe applied to the well. These different vacuum values are obtained ondifferent regions of the wellhead. Static pressure or applied vacuumrepresents the actual pressure applied to the well. Differential vacuumor pressure is the pressure drop across an orifice plate and is used tomeasure fluid flow through the wellhead. Available vacuum or headerpressure is the pressure in the header to the wellhead that can beapplied to the landfill well. These prior art portable monitors onlyhave two pressure testing ports that are designed to only determine thevacuum being applied to the landfill. As such, if an operator wanted todetermine the available vacuum that can be applied to the well, theoperator would be required to reconnect the monitor to obtain suchinformation. Such a procedure is inconvenient, time consuming, and canbe difficult and undesirable in inclement weather.

Another problem with these prior art portable monitors is that theportable monitor must be placed on or near the well during testing. Assuch, the individual using the portable monitor must be constantly nearthe portable monitor in order to operate the portable monitor, to obtainreadings from the monitor, and to determine whether the portable monitoris properly operating. Having to be in close proximity to the portablemonitor during testing is inconvenient and can also be uncomfortableduring inclement weather.

Another problem with these prior art portable monitors is that theportable monitor is sometimes improperly connected to the wrong well. Onlarge landfill sites, the landfill wells are not always properly markedor easily located. As such, when a tester locates a landfill well andbegins the testing of the well, the identity of the well recorded by thetester may be incorrect, thus providing incorrect information about theperformance of the well and landfill over a certain time period. In viewof the deficiencies that exist in prior art portable monitors forlandfill wells, there is a need for a portable monitor that simplifiesthe testing of landfill wells and which overcomes the past deficienciesof prior art portable monitors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved portable monitor thatcan be used to measure one or more properties (e.g., flow rate,temperature, composition, pressure, LEL, etc.) of a fluid stream (e.g.,gas and/or liquid steam from a well, etc.). The portable monitor isparticularly adapted for use with measuring one or more properties offluid (e.g, gas, liquid) from a well such as, but not limited to alandfill well; however, it will be appreciated that the portable monitorcan be used to measure one or more properties of the fluid in othertypes of applications (e.g., measure the fluidcomposition/temperature/pressure/LEL in a cave, measure fluidcomposition/temperature/pressure/LEL in a sewage system, measure fluidcomposition/temperature/pressure/LEL in a refinery, etc.). The portablemonitor is adapted for indoor and outdoor use. The portable monitor isdesigned to be used to monitor and measure fluids from one or morewells. The portable monitor is generally designed to only measure onewell at a time, then be disconnected from the well and then subsequentlyreconnected to another well for taking measurements from such otherwell. The portable monitor is also not designed to be part of anautomated control system for the well. The portable monitoring system ismanually connected and disconnected to a well by a user. Generally, theportable monitor is disconnected from the well once the readings for thewell have been obtained. Information about the well that is measured bythe portable monitor can then be used by an operator to adjust theflowrate of fluids from the well. Such adjustments to the well by theuser can be manual or can be input by the user into a control system. Ascan be appreciated, information from the portable monitor can bedownloaded into another device that can then use the information fromthe portable monitor to control the well. However, the portable monitorof the present invention is not generally designed to provide constantcontrol of the well. The portable monitor is primarily designed to beperiodically connected to a well (e.g., monthly, semi-annually, yearly,etc.) to take periodic measurements of the well, then be disconnectedfrom the well. The portable monitor is made of durable materials towithstand the outside elements (e.g., rain, cold weather, strong winds,snow, dust, sun, etc.). The portable monitor also has a size, shape andweight that enables a user to easily and conveniently carry the portablemonitor to a testing site (e.g., landfill well, etc.). Typically, theportable monitor has a total weight of less than about 20 lbs, typicallyless than about 10 lbs., and more typically less than about 6 lbs. Theportable monitor also typically has a total volume of less than about500 cubic inches, typically less than about 400 cubic inches, and moretypically less than about 250 cubic inches. The portable monitor isdesigned to be used in a variety of environments. A carrying device(e.g., backpack, brief case, etc.) can be used to conveniently storeand/or transport the complete portable monitor; however, this is notrequired.

In one non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the portablemonitor of the present invention includes one or more heating elements.The one or more heating elements are used to provide heating to one ormore internal and/or external components of the portable monitor. Inprior art portable monitors, one or more components of a prior artportable monitor was prone to sluggishness and even failure when theportable monitor was used in a cold environment (i.e., temperature ofless than about 30-40° F.). As such, it was difficult, if notimpossible, to monitor gasses in a particular location (e.g., landfillwell, etc.) when the weather was cold. The portable monitor of thepresent invention overcomes this past problem by the use of one or moreheating elements. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, theone or more heating elements are designed to at least periodicallymaintain the temperature of one or more components of the portablemonitor above about 10° F., typically above about 20° F., more typicallyabout 30° F., even more typically above about 40° F., and still evenmore typically above about 50° F. The one or more heating elements canbe positioned on and/or in the portable monitor to a) maintain all ofthe components at least periodically above a certain temperature, or b)only maintain one or more components of the portable monitor and/or oneor more regions of the portable monitor at least periodically above acertain temperature. In another and/or additional non-limitingembodiment of the invention, the one or more heating elements arelocated at least partially internally of the housing of the portablemonitor. In this particular non-limiting embodiment, the one or moreheating elements are partially or fully integrated in the housing of theportable monitor. As can be appreciated, the one or more heatingelements can be detachably secured in the housing of the portablemonitor. For instance, the housing can include one or more accessiblecavities that allows for the insertion and/or removal of one or morecomponents of the one or more heating elements from the housing. Instill another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, the one or more heating elements are at least partiallylocated on the exterior of the housing of the portable monitor. In onenon-limiting aspect of this embodiment, one or more heating elements canbe removably or irremovably connected to one or more exterior portionsof the housing of the portable monitor. In one non-limiting design, aheating jacket can be used to at least partially encapsulate one or moreportions of the housing of the portable monitor. The heating jacket canbe designed to detachably connect to the housing of the portable monitorso that the heating jacket can be used only when needed or desired. Ascan be appreciated, many other or additional configurations of externalheating elements can be used to heat one or more portions of theportable monitor. In yet another and/or additional non-limitingembodiment of the invention, the one or more heating elements caninclude an electric heating coil. As can be appreciated, other oradditional types of heating elements can be used. (e.g., radiationelements, etc.). In still yet another and/or additional non-limitingembodiment of the invention, the one or more heating elements arepowered by an internal and/or external power source. In one non-limitingaspect of this embodiment, the portable monitor includes an internalpower source (e.g., battery, fuel cell, solar cell, etc.) that is usedto at least partially energize the one or more heating elements. As canbe appreciated, the internal power source can be used to power one ormore other components of the portable monitor; however, this is notrequired. The internal power source can be a rechargeable and/orreplaceable power source. In another and/or additional non-limitingaspect of this embodiment, the portable monitor includes an externalpower source (e.g., external battery pack, electric plug to plug into a120V/220V electric plug, etc.) that is used to at least partiallyenergize the one or more heating elements. As can be appreciated, theexternal power source can be used to power one or more other componentsof the portable monitor; however, this is not required. As can also beappreciated, the external power source can be used to recharge aninternal power source when an internal power source exists in thehousing of the portable monitor; however, this is not required. Inanother and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of the invention, theone or more heating elements can be designed to be manually and/orautomatically activated. In one non-limiting aspect of this embodiment,the heating elements can be manually activated by a user. Suchactivation can be by any number of means (e.g., remote activation,switch activation, connection to a power source, etc.). This arrangementallows a user to manually activate one or more of the heating elementswhen the user determines that the environment is potentially cold enoughto possibly adversely affect the portable monitor. In another and/oradditional non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, one or more heatingelements can be designed to automatically activate when a predeterminedlow temperature has been detected. The predetermined low temperaturesetting can be a factory setting and/or a manual setting by an operator.In one non-limiting design, one or more temperature sensors (e.g.,temperature coil, electronic sensor, etc.) are positioned on and/or inone or more regions of the housing of the portable monitor to monitor asurrounding temperature. As can be appreciated, other or additionalarrangements can be used. In this arrangement, the portable monitorcauses one or more heating elements to activate when a low thresholdtemperature has been detected so as to prevent the temperature of one ormore components of the portable monitor to become too cold. In stillanother and/or additional non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, whenan automatic activation arrangement is used, the portable monitor can bedesigned to allow a user to manually activate and/or deactivate one ormore of the heating elements when so desired; however, this is notrequired. In yet another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of thisembodiment, the portable monitor can include a deactivator toautomatically deactivate one or more heating elements when the sensedtemperature of the heating element and/or the region about the heatingelement exceeds a predetermined temperature, and/or the one or moreheating elements have been activated for a certain period of time;however, this is not required. The predetermined low temperature settingand/or time period of activation setting can be a factory setting and/ora manual setting by an operator. In one non-limiting arrangement, theportable monitor includes a plurality of heating elements or pads. Theheating elements or pads are positioned inside the protective housing ofthe portable monitor. The heating pads are activated and deactivated bya microprocessor. A plurality of thermocouples are located on or nearvarious components inside the housing of the portable monitor. Generallythese thermocouples are located in important or critical positions onone or more components in the housing (e.g., printed circuit boards, gasmeasuring components, pumps, etc.). The thermocouples are designed tosend information to the microprocessor, which then uses such informationto activate or deactivate one or more of the heating elements or pads.The thermocouples thus provide feedback information to themicroprocessor to enable the microprocessor to properly activate ordeactivate a certain heating element or pad. As can be appreciated, themicroprocessor can activate/deactivate some or all of the heatingelements or pads based on the information received from one or morethermocouples that are positioned in different regions of the housing.In one non-limiting arrangement, the microprocessor activates one ormore heating elements or pads when the thermocouple measurement from oneor more thermocouples is equal to or below some predefined thresholdvalue and deactivates one or more heating elements or pads when thethermocouple measurement from one or more thermocouples is equal to orabove some predefined threshold value. In one non-limiting specificarrangement, all of the heating elements or pads are activated when thelowest reading from one or more thermocouple measurements (e.g., onethermocouple measurement, two different thermocouple measurements, threedifferent thermocouple measurements, four different thermocouplemeasurements, etc.) are equal to or below a threshold value, and all ofthe heating elements or pads are deactivated when the highest readingfrom one or more thermocouple measurements are equal to or above athreshold value. In this specific arrangement, generally less than allof the thermocouples in the housing are generating readingsabove/below/equal to some upper or lower predetermined value to causethe microprocessor to activate/deactivate all or some subset of theheating elements or pads in the housing. Generally the predefined lowtemperature level is no less than about −10° F., generally no less thanabout −4° F., more typically no less than about 0° F., and still moretypically no less than about 10° F. As can be appreciated, thepredefined low temperature level can be set at higher temperatures(e.g., 20° F., 32° F., 40° F., etc.). The predefined high temperaturelevel is generally less than about 130° F., typically less than about122° F., more typically less than about 115° F., and even more typicallyless than about 110° F.

In another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the portable monitor includes one or more cooling elements.The one or more cooling elements can be used to provide cooling to oneor more internal and/or external components of the portable monitor.When the temperature of one or more components of the portable monitorbecomes too hot, the one or more components can be damaged and/ormalfunction. To address this overheating problem, the portable monitorof the present invention can include one or more cooling elements. Inone non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the one or more coolingelements are designed to at least periodically maintain the temperatureof one or more components of the portable monitor below about 200° F.,typically below about 150° F., more typically below about 120° F., andeven more typically below about 100° F. The one or more cooling elementscan be positioned on and/or in the portable monitor to a) maintain allof the components at least periodically below a certain temperature,orb) only maintain one or more components of the portable monitor and/orone or more regions of the portable monitor at least periodically belowa certain temperature. In another and/or additional non-limitingembodiment of the invention, the one or more cooling elements arelocated at least partially internally of the housing of the portablemonitor. In this particular non-limiting embodiment, the one or morecooling elements are partially or fully integrated in the housing of theportable monitor. As can be appreciated, the one or more coolingelements can be detachably secured in the housing of the portablemonitor. For instance, the housing can include one or more accessiblecavities that would allow for the insertion and/or removal of one ormore components of the one or more cooling elements from the housing. Instill another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, the one or more cooling elements are at least partiallylocated on the exterior of the housing of the portable monitor. In onenon-limiting aspect of this embodiment, one or more cooling elements canbe removably or irremovably connected to one or more exterior portionsof the housing of the portable monitor. In one non-limiting design, acooling jacket could be used that is designed to at least partiallyencapsulate one or more portions of the housing of the portable monitor.The cooling jacket can be designed to detachably connect to the housingof the portable monitor so that the cooling jacket can be used only whenneeded or desired. As can be appreciated, many other or additionalconfigurations of external cooling elements can be used to cool one ormore portions of the portable monitor. In yet another and/or additionalnon-limiting embodiment of the invention, the one or more coolingelements include an electric fan. As can be appreciated, other oradditional types of cooling elements can be used. (e.g., heat sinkarrangement, ice or chemical cooling pouch, etc.). In still yet anotherand/or additional non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the one ormore cooling elements are powered by an internal and/or external powersource. In one non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the portablemonitor includes an internal power source (e.g., battery, fuel cell,solar cell, etc.) that is used to at least partially energize the one ormore cooling elements. As can be appreciated, the internal power sourcecan be used to power one or more other components of the portablemonitor; however, this is not required. The internal power source can bea rechargeable and/or replaceable power source. In another and/oradditional non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the portable monitorincludes an external power source (e.g., external battery pack, electricplug to plug into a 120V/220V electric plug, etc.) that is used to atleast partially energize the one or more cooling elements. As can beappreciated, the external power source can be used to power one or moreother components of the portable monitor; however, this is not required.As can also be appreciated, the external power source can be used torecharge an internal power source when an internal power source existsin the housing of the portable monitor; however, this is not required.In another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of the invention,the one or more cooling elements can be designed to be manually and/orautomatically activated. In one non-limiting aspect of this embodiment,the cooling elements can be manually activated by a user. Suchactivation can be by any number of means (e.g., remote activation,switch activation, connection to a power source, etc.). This arrangementallows a user to manually activate one or more of the cooling elementswhen the user determines that the environment is potentially hot enoughto possibly adversely affect the portable monitor. In another and/oradditional non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, one or more coolingelements can be designed to automatically activate when a predeterminedhigh temperature has been detected. The predetermined high temperaturesetting can be a factory setting and/or a manual setting by an operator.In one non-limiting design, one or more temperature sensors (e.g.,temperature coil, electronic sensor, etc.) are positioned on and/or inone or more regions of the housing of the portable monitor to monitor asurrounding temperature. As can be appreciated, other or additionalarrangements can be used. In this arrangement, the portable monitorcauses one or more cooling elements to activate so as to prevent thetemperature of one or more components of the portable monitor frombecoming too hot.

In still another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of thisembodiment, when an automatic activation arrangement is used, theportable monitor can be designed to allow a user to manually activateand/or deactivate one or more of the cooling elements when so desired;however, this is not required. In yet another and/or additionalnon-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the portable monitor can includea deactivator to automatically deactivate one or more cooling elementswhen the sensed temperature of the cooling element and/or region aboutthe cooling element falls below a predetermined temperature, and/or theone or more cooling elements have been activated for a certain period oftime; however, this is not required. The predetermined temperaturesetting and/or time period of activation setting can be a factorysetting and/or a manual setting by an operator. In still another and/oradditional non-limiting aspect of the present invention, the portablemonitor includes a plurality of pressure sensors. In one non-limitingembodiment of the invention, the portable monitor includes three or morethree pressure sensors. The three or more pressure sensors enable theportable monitor to simultaneously measure three or more differentpressures. For instance, when the portable monitor is used to measurepressures on a gas well wherein gas is being drawn by a vacuum (e.g.,landfill well, etc.), the three or more pressure sensors enable anoperator to simultaneously measure the static or applied vacuum pressureon the well, the impact or differential pressure on the well, and theavailable vacuum or header pressure that can be applied to the well.Prior art portable monitors for landfill wells only included twopressure sensors. These two pressure sensors were used to measure theapplied vacuum pressure or static vacuum of the well. As such, if anoperator wanted to measure the available vacuum pressure of the well,the operator had to disconnect one of the tubes from the applied vacuumport on the well and reconnect the tube at available pressure vacuumport on the well. This procedure was not only time consuming andinconvenient, especially in inclement weather, the accuracy of the datareadings potentially could be compromised during the disconnecting andreconnecting of the vacuum tubes. These problems associated with priorportable monitors are overcome by the portable monitor of the presentinvention. The portable monitor of the present invention enables anoperator to connect the portable monitor of the present invention to allthree pressure ports on a well so that the applied or static vacuumpressure, the differential pressure, and the available vacuum pressureof the well can be determined without having to further reconnect anddisconnect vacuum tubes.

In yet another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the portable monitor is a multi-unit system. In onenon-limiting embodiment of the invention, the portable monitor includesa separate control unit and a separate measuring unit. Prior artportable monitors were in the form of a single unit. This single unitdesign required the operator to temporarily mount the portable monitoron a portion of the well or at a region about the well, connect all ofthe sensors and/or pressure tubes to the well, and then press multiplebuttons on the portable unit to perform the required tests for the well.This single unit design of the prior art portable monitor made itinconvenient and difficult for the operator to take readings and performthe required operations on the monitor while the portable monitor wasmounted on or about the well. During inclement weather, the taking ofreadings from the prior art portable monitor and the performing of therequired operations on the portable monitor made such testing even moreinconvenient and difficult, if not impossible. The plurality of units ofthe portable monitor of the present invention overcomes these pastproblems with prior art portable monitors. The measuring unit of theportable monitor of the present invention is designed to connect tovarious portions of a well so as to measure one or more parameters ofthe well. The control unit of the portable monitor of the presentinvention is designed to provide instructions and/or commands to themeasuring unit, and/or to receive information from the measuring unit.As such, an operator is able to 1) remotely monitor the operation of themeasuring unit, 2) remotely control one or more operations of themeasuring unit, 3) remotely review information that is tested and/ormeasured by the measuring unit, and/or 4) remotely process informationreceive from the measuring unit. The multi-unit design of the portablemonitor enables an operator to 1) first temporarily connect themeasuring unit to the well or at a location near the well and connect onthe required tubes, wires, etc. to the measuring unit, and 2) then usethe control unit to begin the required operations of the measuring unitand acquire all of the required data from the measuring unit from aremote location. The measuring unit and control unit can communicatebetween one another wirelessly (e.g., IR connection, RF connection,etc.) and/or through a cable connection (fire wire connection, USBconnection, serial cable, etc.). This wireless configuration allows anoperator to make adjustments from remote locations and also enables theoperator to see how such adjustments effect the well being monitoredwithout having to walk back and forth between the monitor and thevalving on the well. The wireless connection enables an operator to belocated in a remote location (e.g., vehicle, power plant control room,sheltered area, header valve on the well, etc.) during the testing ofthe well. This configuration of the portable monitor enables an operatorto connect the measuring unit to a well and then move to a shelteredarea or other remote location (e.g., other regions on the well, etc.) tooperate and/or monitor operation of the measuring unit. As such, duringinclement weather conditions, the operator only has to expose oneself tosuch conditions during the setting up and dismantling of the measuringunit on the well. The testing period of the well can then beaccomplished in a protected or sheltered area. Such an arrangement is asignificant improvement over prior art portable monitors. In situationswherein a wireless connection cannot be created and/or is not desired bythe operator, a cable connection can be connected between the controlunit and the measuring unit. Even with use of a cable connection, theoperator can operate/monitor the measuring unit from the control unit ina more convenient manner (e.g., sit in a chair, sit on an ATV, sit in acar located close to the measuring unit, etc.).

In another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the measuring unit includes the pressure sensors, fluidpump(s), chemical analyzers, heating elements or pads, andthermocouples. The measuring unit can optionally include one or moremicroprocessors and software to calculate one or more properties offluid analyzed from a well. Alternatively, the control unit includes oneor more microprocessors and software to calculate one or more propertiesof fluid analyzed from a well based on data sent from the measuring unitto the control unit. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention,the control unit does not include pressure sensors, fluid pump(s), andchemical analyzers. In another and/or alternative non-limitingembodiment, the measuring unit optionally includes one or more heatingelements or pads and/or and thermocouples.

In still yet another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of thepresent invention, the portable monitor is designed to providegeographic location information. In one non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, the measuring unit and/or control unit includes a G.P.S.component that provides G.P.S. location information. Many well locationsare located in remote locations. furthermore, on some landfill sites,multiple landfill wells exist. The use of G.P.S. can be used to confirmthe location of the proper landfill well to be tested, and/or locate thelandfill well to be tested. The G.P.S. location function on the portablemonitor can be used to easily identify which well was tested and theexact location of a well that was tested and/or is to be tested. In onenon-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the control unit includes aG.P.S. component that provides G.P.S. location information. In anothernon-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the measuring unit includes aG.P.S. component that provides G.P.S. location information.

In another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the portable monitor includes a measuring unit has a durabledesign. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuringunit is designed to be used in a wide variety of environments. When inuse, the measuring unit may be exposed to high temperatures, lowtemperatures, rain, snow, ice, fog, dust, etc. The housing of themeasuring unit is designed to protect the internal components from suchenvironmental conditions. In one non-limiting aspect of this embodiment,the measuring unit has an Ingress Protection Rating for dust of at least4, typically at least 5, and more typically 6; and an Ingress ProtectionRating for water of at least 3, more typically at least 4, even moretypically at least 5, still more typically at least 6, and still evenmore typically at least 7. In one non-limiting design of the measuringunit, the Ingress Protection Rating for the measuring unit is at leastIP43, typically at least IP55, and more typically at least IP67. Such IPrating enables the measuring unit to be used in rainy conditions, snowyconditions, sunny conditions, dusty condition, etc. and still operateproperly. In another and/or alternative non-limiting aspect of thisembodiment, the measuring unit is designed so that it can properlyoperate in temperatures at least as low as about 32° F., more typicallyat least as low as about 0° F., and even more typically at least as lowas about −20° F., and in temperatures at least as high as about 90° F.,typically at least as high as about 120° F., and more typically at leastas high as about 140° F. In another and/or alternative non-limitingembodiment of the invention, the housing of the measuring unit is madeof a durable material that protects the internal components of themeasuring unit from damage when the measuring unit falls from a wellmounting and/or is inadvertently dropped on the ground. The one or morematerials used to at least partially form the housing can be include,but are not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber, fiber and/or carbonreinforced material, etc.

In still another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the measuring unit is a portable unit that can perform avariety of functions. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention,the measuring unit has a weight of less than about 20 lbs, typicallyless than about 10 lbs., and more typically less than about 5 lbs. Themeasuring unit also typically has a volume of less than about 500 cubicinches, typically less than about 300 cubic inches, and more typicallyless than about 200 cubic inches. In another and/or additionalnon-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuring unit includes aplurality of pressure sensors to enable the measuring unit todetect/measure one or more pressures. In one non-limiting aspect of thisembodiment, the measuring unit includes at least three pressure sensorsto enable the portable monitor to simultaneously detect/measure at leastthree different pressures. In one particular non-limiting design of themeasuring unit, the measuring unit is able to be simultaneouslyconnected to at least three vacuum pressure ports on a well to enablethe measuring unit to measure the static pressure, the applied vacuumpressure and the available vacuum pressure of the well; however, this isnot required. In another and/or additional aspect of this embodiment ofthe invention, the detection/measurement of one or more pressures by themeasuring unit can be used to calculate the flow rate of fluid at ornear the location of the detected pressures. In one particularnon-limiting design, the measuring unit and/or control unit can bedesigned to calculate the flow rate of landfill gas into the landfillwell based at least partially on one or more pressures detected/measuredby the measuring unit. As can be appreciated, the measuring unitand/control unit can be used to calculate the flow rate of other oradditional fluids based at least partially on one or more pressuresdetected/measured by the measuring unit. In still another and/oradditional non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuring unitcan include one or more chemical analyzers to identify and/or measurethe concentration of one or more components in a fluid stream (e.g.,landfill gas, etc.). In one non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the measuring unit can include one or more chemical analyzersto identify and/or measure the concentration of one or more componentsin a fluid stream. In one particular non-limiting design, the measuringunit can be used to identify gasses and/or measure gas concentrationfrom a landfill well. In such a design, the measuring unit includes oneor more chemical analyzers that are designed to identify and/or measurethe concentration of methane, carbon dioxide and oxygen. As can beappreciated, the measuring unit can also include one or more chemicalanalyzers that can be used to identify and/or measure the concentrationof other gasses from a landfill well (e.g., carbon monoxide, chlorine,cyanide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, mercaptan, nitric oxides, nitrogen,sulfur oxides, etc.). In one non-limiting configuration, the measuringunit includes a plurality of sensors to simultaneously measure theconcentration of two or more components in the fluid from the landfillwell. In such a configuration, the measuring unit can, but is notrequired to include two or more separate chemical analyzers. In anothernon-limiting configuration, the measuring unit includes a plurality ofsensors to simultaneously measure the concentration of three or morecomponents in the fluid from the landfill well. In such a configuration,the measuring unit can, but is not required to include three or moreseparate chemical analyzers. In still another non-limitingconfiguration, the measuring unit includes a plurality of sensors tosimultaneously measure the concentration of four or more components inthe fluid from the landfill well. In such a configuration, the measuringunit can, but is not required to include four or more separate chemicalanalyzers. When the measuring unit is designed to simultaneously measurethe concentration of three components in the fluid, such componentsgenerally include carbon dioxide, methane and oxygen. When the measuringunit is designed to simultaneously measure the concentration of fourcomponents in the fluid, the fourth component is generally nitrogen,hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, chlorine, cyanide, hydrogen,mercaptan, nitric oxides, or sulfur oxides. In one specific design, thefourth component is nitrogen or hydrogen sulfide. In another specificdesign, the fourth component is nitrogen. In still another specificdesign, the fourth component is hydrogen sulfide. When the measuringunit is designed to simultaneously measure the concentration of fivecomponents in the fluid, the five components generally include carbondioxide, methane, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide. The one or morechemical analyzers used to identify and/or measure gas concentration canbe designed to be replaceable in the measuring unit so that themeasuring unit can be customized by the operator; however, this is notrequired. As can also be appreciated, when the measuring unit isdesigned for uses other than or in addition to measuring landfill gas,the measuring unit can include chemical analyzers that are designed tomeasure the desired gasses and/or liquids in a tested fluid stream. Inanother and/or additional non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, one ormore chemical analyzers in the measuring unit can include analyzers suchas, but not limited to, IR measuring cells, galvanic cells, etc. Instill another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of this embodiment,the measuring unit can include one or more chemical analyzers to measurethe lower explosive limit (LEL) and/or upper explosive limit (UEL) ofone or more components in a fluid stream. As can be appreciated, aseparate chemical analyzer may not be required to measure the lowerexplosive limit (LEL) and/or upper explosive limit (UEL) of one or morecomponents in a fluid stream if the information from the other chemicalanalyzers is used to calculate the lower explosive limit (LEL) and/orupper explosive limit (UEL) of one or more components in a fluid streamvia a microprocessor or the like. In one particular non-limiting design,the measuring unit measures the LEL and/or UEL of methane in a fluidstream. For methane, the LEL is at about 5% and the UEL is about 15%.This LEL and/or UEL reading can be useful for the operator of theportable monitor. At concentrations in air below the LEL, there is notenough explosive component (e.g., methane, hydrogen, etc.) to continuean explosion; whereas at concentrations above the UEL the explosivecomponent has displaced so much air that there is not enough oxygen tobegin an explosive reaction. As can be appreciated, the LEL and/or UELreading can be determined by the measuring unit and/or control unit forother or additional explosive components. In still another and/oradditional non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the measuring unitcan include one or more pumps to draw fluid into and/or expel fluid outof the measuring unit. In one non-limiting design, at least one pump isused to draw landfill gas through one of the pressure sensors in themeasuring unit so that the gas can then be directed to one or morechemical analyzers in the measuring unit. In yet another and/oradditional non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuring unitcan include one or more temperature ports used to receive temperatureinformation from one or more temperature probes. The temperaturemeasurement can be used to facilitate in flowrate calculations, provideinformation on the activity of a landfill, etc. In one non-limitingaspect of this embodiment, the measuring unit includes at least onetemperature port that is designed to be connected to a temperature probethat is in turn connected to a temperature monitoring port of a landfillwell. The temperature probe can be designed to measure the temperatureof the landfill gas being drawn from a landfill and through the landfillwell. In still yet another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment ofthe invention, the measuring unit can include one or more indicators tofacilitate in the use and/or operation of the measuring unit. Suchindicators can include, but are not limited to, heateractivation/deactivation indicator, battery level indicator, batterycharge indicator, battery use indicator, on/off indicator, coupler/portindicator to indicate when coupler/port is properly and/or improperlyconnected, coupler/port indicator to indicate when coupler/port is inuse, malfunction indicator, malfunction indicator, etc. The one or moreindicators can be in a variety of forms such as, but not limited to, asound indicator, a visual indicator (LED light, LCD light or panel,incandescent light, etc.), etc. In another and/or additionalnon-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuring unit can includeone or more monitors (e.g., LCD panel, etc.) to enable an operator toview/use one or more operations and/or functions of the measuring unit,enable an operator to control one or more operations and/or functions ofthe measuring unit, view one or more indicators for the measuring unit,etc. In still another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, the measuring unit can include one or more buttons and/orswitches. The one or more buttons and/or switches can be used to enablean operator to activate and/or deactivate one or more functions of themeasuring unit, to display and/or access information from the measuringunit, to provide instructions and/or information to the measuring unit,etc. In yet another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, the measuring unit can include a power pack compartment usedto store one or more energy cells. The one or more energy cells can beused to provide power to one or more components of the measuring unit.The power pack compartment can be designed to enable easy access toenable the servicing and/or replacement of one or more energy cells;however, this is not required. The power pack compartment can include apower port to enable one or more of the energy cells to be rechargedwhile contained in the power pack compartment; however, this is notrequired. In yet another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment ofthe invention, the measuring unit can include one or more connectionports used a) to connect the measuring unit to the control unit toenable data transfer between the two units, b) to connect the measuringunit to a phone jack, c) to connect the measuring unit to an ethernetconnector, d) to connect the measuring unit to another computer, e) toconnect the measuring unit to a computer, data storage device and/orprinter, etc. The one or more connection ports can be designed to acceptone or more types of cables (e.g., fire wire, USB, serial cable, phonecable, ethernet cable, etc.). In still yet another and/or additionalnon-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuring unit includesone or more circuits and/or microprocessors (e.g, Intel processor, flashmemory, hard drive, etc.) to operate one or more software and/orhardware programs (e.g., calibration hardware/software, flowratecalculation hardware/software, BTU calculation software, gas analysishardware/software, communication hardware/software, mode of operationhardware/software, pressure analysis hardware/software, temperatureanalysis hardware/software, etc.) that are loaded/included in themeasuring unit. In yet another and/or additional non-limiting embodimentof the invention, the measuring unit can include one or more expansionslots (e.g., Type1 and/or Type II expansion slots) to enable additionalhardware and/or software to be added to the measuring unit (e.g., addedmemory, wireless technology, etc.). In still yet another and/oradditional non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuring unitcan include one or more sensors to detect/measure ambient conditions(e.g., temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.). In another and/oradditional non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuring unitcan include one or more filter, liquid traps, etc. that are used toprotect one or more components of the measuring unit when testing fluids(e.g., landfill gas, etc.). In still another and/or additionalnon-limiting embodiment of the invention, the measuring unit is able toat least perform the testing and/or analysis functions of prior artportable monitors (e.g., GEM 500, GEM 2000, GEM 2000 PLUS, etc.).

In yet another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of the presentinvention, the portable monitor includes a control unit that is designedto be durable. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, thecontrol unit is designed to be used in a wide variety of environments.The housing of the control unit is designed to protect the internalcomponents from various types of environmental conditions. In onenon-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the control unit has an IngressProtection Rating for dust of at least 4, typically at least 5, and moretypically 6; and an Ingress Protection Rating for water of at least 3,more typically at least 4, even more typically at least 5, still moretypically at least 6, and still even more typically at least 7. In onenon-limiting design of the control unit, the Ingress Protection Ratingfor the control unit is at least IP43, typically at least IP55, and moretypically at least IP67. Such IF rating enables the control unit to beused in rainy conditions, snowy conditions, sunny conditions, dustyconditions, etc. and still operate properly. In another and/oralternative non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the control unit isdesigned so that it can properly operate in temperatures at least as lowas about 32° F., more typically at least as low as about 0° F., and evenmore typically at least as low as about −20° F.; and in temperatures atleast as high as about 90° F., typically at least as high as about 120°F., and more typically at least as high as about 140° F. In anotherand/or alternative non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the housingof the control unit is made of a durable material that protects theinternal components of the control unit from damage. The one or morematerials used to at least partially form the housing include, but arenot limited to, metal, plastic, rubber, fiber and/or carbon reinforcedmaterial, etc. In one non-limiting design, the control unit is a highlydurable portable hand-held device (e.g., PDA device, Palm PC device,BLACKBERRY device, etc.). A BLACKBERRY device is a type of mobile e-mailand smartphone device. One non-limiting highly durable portablehand-held device that can be used as the control unit includes aTRINIBLE RECON that is offered by Trimble Navigation Limited, 935Stewart Drive, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94085. As can be appreciated, otherhighly durable portable hand-held devices can be used for the controlunit of the portable monitor of the present invention.

In still yet another and/or additional non-limiting aspect of thepresent invention, the control unit is a portable unit that can performa variety of functions. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention,the control unit has a weight and size that are less than the measuringunit. In one non-limiting aspect of this embodiment, the control unithas a weight of less than about Sibs, typically less than about 2 lbs.,and more typically less than about 1.5 lbs. The control unit typicallyhas a volume of less than about 100 cubic inches, typically less thanabout 75 cubic inches, and more typically less than about 50 cubicinches. In another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, the control unit includes one or more circuits and/ormicroprocessors (e.g., Intel PXA255 XScale processor, flash memory,etc.) to operate one or more software and/or hardware programs that areloaded in the control unit. Non-limiting examples of software that canbe loaded in the control unit includes, but is not limited to, G.P.S.software, navigation software, wireless communication software,photograph/video software, sound/music software, sound recordingsoftware, voice recognition software, file/data transfer software,internet browser software, wordprocessor software, touch screensoftware, database software, spreadsheet software, operating systemsoftware, scanner software, printer software, power point software, CADsoftware, email software, calendar software, address book software,security software, t.v. software, radio software, data managementsoftware, software to operate/monitor the measuring unit of the portablemonitor, calibration software for the control unit and/or measuringunit, handwriting recognition software, diagnostic software for thecontrol unit and/or measuring unit, time/date/timer software, softwareto make recommendations for landfill gas flowrate into well, BTUcalculation software, LEL calculation software, EPA software,environmental software, software used to process landfill well and gasdata, etc. In still another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment ofthe invention, the control unit can include wireless technology toenable the control unit to communicate with the measuring unit, theinternet, mobile phone systems and/or other remote locations and/orsystems. Such technology includes, but is not limited to, 802.11wireless technology, Blue tooth technology, IR technology, etc. In yetanother and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of the invention, thecontrol unit can include a camera, microphone, speaker, etc. to enhancethe multimedia features of the control unit; however, this is notrequired. In still yet another and/or additional non-limiting embodimentof the invention, the control unit can include one or more indicators tofacilitate in the use and/or operation of the control unit. Suchindicators can include, but are not limited to, battery level indicator,battery charge indicator, battery use indicator, on/off indicator,coupler indicator to indicate when coupler is properly and/or improperlyconnected, coupler indicator to indicate when coupler is in use,malfunction indicator, etc. The one or more indicators can be in avariety of forms such as, but not limited to, a sound indicator, avisual indicator (LED light, LCD light or panel, incandescent light,etc.). In another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, the control unit can include one or more monitors (e.g., LCDpanel, etc.) to enable an operator to view/use one or more operationsand/or functions of the control unit; view one or more indicators forthe control unit; view/control one or more features of the measuringunit; view/use one or more software programs on the control unit,view/use email and/or text messages, etc. In still another and/oradditional non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the control unitincludes one or more buttons and/or switches. The one or more buttonsand/or switches can be used to enable an operator to activate and/ordeactivate one or more functions of the control unit and/or measuringunit, to display and/or access information from the control unit and/ormeasuring unit, to provide instructions and/or information to thecontrol unit and/or measuring unit, volume control, display brightnesscontrol, etc. In yet another and/or additional non-limiting embodimentof the invention, the control unit can include a power pack compartmentthat is used to store one or more energy cells. The one or more energycells can be used to provide power to one or more components of thecontrol unit. The power pack compartment can be designed to enable easyaccess to enable the servicing and/or replacement of one or more energycells; however, this is not required. The power pack compartment caninclude a power port to enable one or more of the energy cells to berecharged while contained in the power pack compartment; however, thisis not required. In yet another and/or additional non-limitingembodiment of the invention, the control unit can include one or moreconnection ports. The one or more connection ports can be used a) toconnect the control unit to the measuring unit to enable data transferbetween the two units, b) to connect the control unit to a phone jack,c) to connect the control unit to an ethernet connector, d) to connectthe control unit to another computer, e) to connect the control unit toa computer, data storage device and/or printer, etc. The one or moreconnection ports can be designed to accept one or more types of cables(e.g., fire wire, USB, serial cable, phone cable, ethernet cable, etc.).In yet another and/or additional non-limiting embodiment of theinvention, the control unit can include one or more expansion slots(e.g., Type1 and/or Type II expansion slots) to enable additionalhardware and/or software to be added to the control unit (e.g., addedmemory, bar code scanner, wireless technology, etc.).

It is a non-limiting object of the present invention to provide aportable monitor that can be used to more easily obtain informationabout fluids.

It is another and/or additional non-limiting object of the presentinvention to provide a portable monitor that can be used to measurefluid pressure and/or fluid composition.

It is still another and/or additional non-limiting object of the presentinvention to provide a portable monitor that can be used to measure gaspressures and composition of gasses.

It is yet another and/or additional non-limiting object of the presentinvention to provide a portable monitor that can used to measuring gaspressures and composition of gasses from landfills. It is still yetanother and/or additional non-limiting object of the present inventionto provide a portable monitor that can operate in cold temperatures.

It is another and/or additional non-limiting object of the presentinvention to provide a portable monitor that includes a heater.

It is still another and/or additional non-limiting object of the presentinvention to provide a portable monitor that can simultaneously measurethree or more pressures.

It is yet another and/or additional non-limiting object of the presentinvention to provide a portable monitor that includes a control unit anda measuring unit.

It is still yet another and/or additional non-limiting object of thepresent invention to provide a portable monitor that includes wirelesscommunication between a control unit and a measuring unit.

It is yet another and/or additional non-limiting object of the presentinvention to provide a portable monitor that provides G.P.S.information.

These and other advantages will become apparent to those skilled in theart upon the reading and following of this description taken togetherwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be made to the drawings, which illustrate anon-limiting embodiment that the invention may take in physical form andin certain parts and arrangements of parts wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a landfill well being monitored by theportable monitor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of one non-limiting embodiment of a measuring unitof the portable monitor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of one non-limiting embodiment of a control unit ofthe portable monitor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of another non-limiting embodiment of a measuringunit of the portable monitor in accordance with the present invention;and,

FIG. 5 is a top view of another non-limiting embodiment of a controlunit of the portable monitor in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

The solid waste and environmental industry uses field technicians tomeasure, monitor and store environmental information at particularindustrial sites and landfill sites. When measuring gases from alandfill well, information regarding methane, carbon dioxide and oxygenis desirable to determine the environmental impact of the landfill andthe potential energy from methane gas that can be obtained from thelandfill. The present invention is directed to a portable monitor thatcan be used by field technicians to obtain gas flow rates and gascomposition from landfill wells and will be described with particularreference thereto; however, it will be appreciated that the portablemonitor of the present invention can be used in other or additionalapplications.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showing is for the purpose ofillustrating a non-limiting preferred embodiment of the invention onlyand not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 illustrates aconventional landfill gas extraction system. As illustrated in FIG. 1,there is provided a landfill 10, containing waste 12. A well 20 isdrilled into landfill 10. As can be appreciated, more than one well canbe drilled in landfill 10. When more than one well is drilled in alandfill, two or more wells can be interconnected together by pipelines;however, this is not required.

The one or more wells 20 typically include one or morevertically-oriented pipes 22 installed in a well bore 14 in the waste ofthe landfill. Backfill 16 is typically inserted into the well bore afterpipe 22 is inserted into the well bore. The depth of pipe 22 into thewell bore and the number of wells formed in the landfill typicallydepends on the size and depth of the landfill. The one or more pipes 22typically have perforations or slotted sections, not shown, disposedalong the pipes and/or at or near the end portion of the pipes. As canbe appreciated, the well can alternatively be formed of horizontaltrenches or areas filled with gravel. These trenches or areas may beisolated from the atmosphere by a plastic liner or other impermeablebarrier.

The top of the well 20 includes a well header 24 on the top end of pipe22. The top of header 24 includes a inlet pipe 40. The inlet pipe 40extends through header 24 and partially into the top portion of pipe 22.The inlet pipe includes three side openings or ports 42, 44, 46.Openings 42 and 44 are pressure ports to enable pressure readings to beobtained. Pressure port 42 provides a pressure reading for the staticpressure in well 20. The static pressure is also known as the appliedvacuum to the well. This pressure port is located on the well sidecontrol valve and represents the actual pressure on the well. Pressureport 44 provides a pressure reading for the differential pressure. Thispressure measures the pressure drop across and orifice or some othertype of flow restrictor, not shown. This pressure is taken down streamfrom pressure port 42. Opening 46 in the top portion of the inlet pipeis to allow for a temperature reading for the landfill gas being drawninto the well from the landfill. A wellhead valve 50 is connected to thetop portion of inlet pipe 40. The wellhead valve is used to control theflowrate of landfill gas from the landfill into the well. The wellheadvalve is typically includes a gate valve with an O-ring; however, thisis not required. Connected to the wellhead valve is a pipe coupler 60that includes a pressure port 62. Pressure port 62 is located downstreamfrom the wellhead valve. Pressure port 62 provides a pressure readingfor the available vacuum pressure that can be applied to the well. Aflexible pipe portion 70 is secured to pipe coupler 60. Flexible pipeportion 70 is in turn connected to feed pipe 80 typically by a flexsealcoupling 72 that is used to direct the landfill gas to a flare and/or aprocessing unit for further processing of the landfill gas. Feedpipe 80typically is inserted to some depth in ground as illustrated in FIG. 1.The feedpipe is commonly connected to a reducer 82 which in turn isconnected at one end to an elbow 84. The outer end of the elbow 84 isconnected to pipe 86 that directs the landfill gas away from thelandfill. A pump, not shown, is generally connected to pipe 86. The pumpis used to apply a vacuum to the well. This vacuum can be measured bypressure port 62.

The landfill 10 typically includes one or more top layers, not shown,that are inserted over waste 12. The one or more top layers can includesand, dirt, gravel, etc. The one or more top layers can include one ormore layers of materials, not shown, to at least partially entrap gassesunder the one or more top layers; and/or control and/or reduce the flowrate of gasses through the one or more top layers; however, this is notrequired.

The arrows in FIG. 1 illustrate the flow of gasses into and out of atypical landfill 10. The arrows 90 pointing into the landfill illustrateair (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, etc.) being drawn into the landfill. Thearrows 92 pointing upward from the landfill illustrate landfill gas(e.g., methane, carbon dioxide, etc.) escaping the landfill through theone or more top layers of the landfill. The escape of landfill gasthrough the one or more top layers of the landfill can be partially theresult of not enough landfill gas being drawn through pipe 22 of well20. The arrows 94 pointing toward pipe 22 illustrate landfill gas beingdrawn into pipe 22. When too large a volume of landfill gas is drawninto well 20, the pressure differential between the landfill andatmosphere can result in air being drawn into the landfill as indicatedby arrows 90. When air enters the landfill, anaerobic degradation of thewaste in the landfill can be interrupted until the oxygen is consumed byaerobic processes. If very large quantities of air are introduced intothe landfill, either through natural occurrence or overly aggressiveoperation of the landfill well, a partly unsupported subsurfacecombustion of the buried waste can be initiated. Such subsurface firescan be difficult to control or extinguish once started, and can alsopresent health and safety hazards. The presence of carbon monoxide,carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide in the landfill gas can be used asindicators of poorly supported combustion within the landfill. When toolittle of the landfill gasses is drawn into the well 20, gas pressurebuilds-up in the landfill and results in an increased rate at which thelandfill gas passes through the one or more top layers of the landfilland into the atmosphere. As such, a “tradeoff” exists between extractingor “pulling” too high a flow rate of the landfill gas into the well andentraining excessive atmospheric air, and pulling too little landfillgas through the well and recovering less landfill gas and allowing morelandfill gas to enter the atmosphere.

To collect the landfill gas from the landfill, the pressure in the well20 is reduced below that of the landfill gas in the landfill. The amountof “pull” exerted by the well on the landfill gas is controlled byoperation of the blower and/or compressor, not shown, and/or byflow-controlling valves associated with the well. Reducing the pressuretoo much will tend to pull air through the top layer and into thelandfill. However, the requisite amount of pull to cause air intrusionwill vary due to a variety of factors including unknown local landfillgas generation rates and the consistency of the waste and soil in thelandfill.

The portable monitor of the present invention is designed to provide theneeded information to a field operator to enable the operator to adjustand control the flowrate of landfill gas into the landfill well so as toa) achieve a steady state of operation of the gas collection system, b)stabilize the rate and quality of extracted landfill gas, c) achieve andmaintain effective subsurface gas migration control, d) achieve andmaintain effective surface gas emissions control, e) assist with properoperation of control and recovery equipment, f) avoid well “over-pull”and maintain a healthy anaerobic state within the landfill, g) optimizelandfill gas recovery for energy recovery purposes, h) control nuisancelandfill gas odors, i) prevent or control subsurface landfill fires, j)protect structures on and near the landfill, and/or k) meetenvironmental and regulatory compliance requirements for landfills.Individual landfill wells are periodically tested (e.g., monthly,quarterly, yearly, etc.) to determine the performance and status of thelandfill well. After measurements are taken by the portable monitor ofthe present invention, the portable monitor is disconnected from thelandfill well, adjustments (e.g., adjust flowrate, increase vacuum,etc.), if any, are made to the landfill well, and then portable monitoris moved to another landfill well to repeat the monitoring and measuringprocess for such other landfill well. This process is generally repeatedfor many different landfill wells located at the same and/or atdifferent landfill sites.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, there are illustrated two non-limitingarrangements for portable monitor 100 in accordance with the presentinvention. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the portable monitor includesa measuring unit 110 and a control unit 150. The portable monitor isdesigned to obtain various types of information from a plurality ofdifferent wells 20 so that the proper flowrate of landfill gas drawninto the wells from one or more landfills 10 can be obtained. FIG. 1illustrates only one type of well that the portable monitor can betemporarily connected to obtain information from the well. As can beappreciated, the portable monitor of the present invention can beconnected to other types of landfill wells. The information that theportable monitor of the present invention can obtain from well 20includes, but not limited to, flowrate of landfill gas into the well,composition of the landfill gas flowing into the well, temperature ofthe landfill gas flowing into the well, LEL and/or UEL of the landfillgas being drawn into the well, differential pressure of the well, staticpressure of the well and/or available vacuum pressure for the well.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the measuring unit 110 of the portable monitor100 is a relatively small and light unit. The measuring unit typicallyhas a weight of less than about 5 lbs, and a total volume of less thanabout 200 cubic inches. The housing 112 of the measuring unit is made ofa durable material that protects the internal components of themeasuring unit from damage. The measuring unit is designed to be used ina wide variety of environments. The measuring unit typically has anIngress Protection Rating of at least IP67. The measuring unit istypically designed to operate in temperatures as low as about −20° F.,and as high as about 120° F. The housing of the measuring unit caninclude one or more slots and/or connectors, not shown, to facilitate inremovably connecting the housing to a well structure or the like so thatthe measuring unit can be conveniently mounted in a temporary fashionduring the testing of the landfill well; however, this is not required.

On the top face of housing 112 is a heat power button/indicator 114, aunit power button/indicator 116, and a battery life indicator 118. Theunit power button/indicator 116 is used to manually power on or off themeasuring unit. The unit power button/indicator includes an indicatorlight to indicate when the measuring unit is powered on or off. The heatpower button/indicator 114 is used to manually power on or off theheating system for the measuring unit. The heat power button/indicatorincludes an indicator light to indicate when the heating system ispowered on or off. When the heat power button/indicator is activated,one or more heating elements in the measuring unit supply heat to one ormore regions of the measuring unit. In colder temperatures, theoperation of one of more components in the measuring unit can beimpaired, thus resulting in slow or unreliable measurements from thelandfill well. The one or more heating elements in the measuring deviceare designed to maintain the temperature of one or more internalcomponents in the measuring device above a certain temperature. Thebattery life indicator 118 indicates the remaining charge of therechargeable battery in the measuring unit.

On the sides of housing 112 are several coupler ports 120, 122, 124,126. Coupler port 120 is the static pressure port and is design to beconnected to a vacuum tube or fluid coupling device 130 which in turn isconnected to pressure port 44 of inlet pipe 40 as illustrated in FIG. 1.Coupler port 122 is the impact pressure port and is design to beconnected to a vacuum tube or fluid coupling device 132 which in turn isconnected to pressure port 42 of inlet pipe 40 as illustrated in FIG. 1.Coupler port 126 is the available pressure port and is designed to beconnected to a vacuum tube or fluid coupling device 134 which in turn isconnected to pressure port 62 of coupler pipe 60 as illustrated inFIG. 1. Coupler port 124 is a temperature port that is designed toconnect to a temperature probe wire 136 which in turn is connected to atemperature probe located in opening 46 of inlet pipe 40 as illustratedin FIG. 1. The side of housing 112 also includes an exhaust port 128that is used to expel the analyzed landfill gas from the measuring unit.

The measuring unit 110 is designed to use information received fromcoupler ports 120, 122 and 126 to determine the differential pressure ofthe well, static pressure of the well and available vacuum pressure forthe well. Coupler port 124 is used by the measuring unit to determinethe temperature of the landfill gas that is flowing into pipe 40. Theportable monitor can use these measurements from the measuring unit tocalculate the flow rate of landfill gas into pipe 40. The measuring unitcan include a single pressure sensor or a plurality of pressure sensorsto measure the well pressures. In one non-limiting arrangement, themeasuring unit includes three pressure sensors to enable the measuringunit to simultaneously measure the differential pressure of the well,static pressure of the well and/or available vacuum pressure for thewell.

In the inside of housing 112, there is provided a plurality of chemicalanalyzers used to identify and/or measure the concentration of one ormore components of the landfill gas. In particular, the measuring unitincludes chemical analyzers to measure the concentration of methane,carbon dioxide and oxygen in the landfill gas. In one non-limitingarrangement, the measuring unit includes a separate chemical analyzer toidentify the presence and/or to calculate and/or measure theconcentration of methane, a separate chemical analyzer to identify thepresence and/or to calculate and/or measure the concentration of carbondioxide, and a separate chemical analyzer to identify the presenceand/or to calculate and/or measure the concentration of oxygen. As canbe appreciated, the measuring unit can include more than three chemicalanalyzers when more than three different gasses are to be identifiedand/or measured or calculated. For example, the measuring unit caninclude a fourth chemical analyzer to identify the presence and/or tocalculate and/or measure the concentration of carbon monoxide, hydrogensulfide or nitrogen. As can be appreciated, other or additional gassescan be identified and/or measured by the measuring unit. Generally, foreach gas to be identified and/or measured or calculated, the measuringunit includes a separate chemical analyzer for such gas. The chemicalanalyzer for the methane and carbon dioxide is typically an IR measuringcell, and the chemical analyzer for oxygen is typically a galvanic cell;however, this is not required. The measuring unit includes one or morepumps to draw the landfill gas into one or more coupler ports 120, 122,126, and/or expel the landfill gas through exhaust port 128. In additionto the identifying and/or measuring the concentration of components ofthe landfill gas, the portable monitor can be used to measure the lowerexplosive limit (LEL) and/or upper explosive limit (UEL) of the landfillgas. The measuring unit includes one or more circuits and/ormicroprocessors to operate one or more software and/or hardware programsin the measuring unit, and/or one or more components in the measuringunit (e.g., calibration hardware/software, flowrate calculationhardware/software, BTU calculation software, gas analysishardware/software, communication hardware/software, mode of operationhardware/software, pump, chemical analyzer, temperature detector,heating pad, thermocouple, etc.). The measuring unit can include one ormore connection ports. As illustrated in FIG. 1, there is provided acommunication cable 140 that can be used to connect the measuring unit110 to the control unit 150 to enable data transfer between the twounits. This cable connection arrangement between the measuring unit andthe control unit is an optional arrangement. The measuring unit can alsoinclude cable connection arrangements to connect to other types ofdevices (e.g., computer, phone, internet, printer, data storage, etc.).The measuring unit also includes wireless communication hardware toenable the measuring unit to communicate wirelessly with the controlunit.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is illustrated the control unit150 of the portable monitor 100. The control unit is a portable handhelddevice that is used to a) at least partially control the operation ofmeasuring unit 110; b) to obtain information, process informationobtained/measured by the measuring unit 110, and/or c) monitor theoperation of the measuring unit 100. As can be appreciated, the controlunit can have other or additional uses. The communication betweencontrol unit 150 and measuring unit 110 is typically wireless; however,a cable connection using cable 140 as illustrated in FIG. 1 can beoptionally used to connect together the control unit and the measuringunit.

The control unit is typically sized and configured like a typical PDAdevice, Palm PC device or BLACKBERRY device; however, the control unitcan be sized and configured in other ways. In one non-limitingconfiguration, the control unit is a customized TRIMBLE RECON handhelddevice. These types of devices are desirable due to their small,lightweight and rugged design. The control unit is designed to be usedin a wide variety of environments. Like the measuring unit, the controlunit typically has an Ingress Protection Rating of at least IP67 so thatthe control unit can be safely used in rainy conditions, snowyconditions, sunny conditions, dusty condition, etc. The control unit isalso typically designed to properly operate in temperature at least aslow as about 0° F., and at least as high as about 120° F. The controlunit typically has a weight and size that is less than the measuringunit. Typically, the control unit has a weight of less than about 1.5lbs, and a volume of less than about 50 cubic inches.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 150 includes a housing160 that is formed of a durable material such as, but not limited to,plastic, metal, etc. Located at the top and bottom of the housing arecushioning elements 162 designed to protect the housing and internalcomponents of the control unit when the control unit is inadvertentlydropped on the ground. The top face 164 of the housing includes aopening for viewing a LCD display screen 170. The LCD display may be ablack and white or a color display. The display enables an operator toview various types of information. The display may also include touchscreen features to enable an operator to enter information into thecontrol unit and/or access information from the control unit. A styluspen or the like, not shown, may be used with the touch screen featuresof the display to facilitate in the operation of the control unit. Thetop face of the control unit also includes several buttons 180 that areused to operate one or more functions/features of the control unit (e.g,power on/off button, cursor button, function button, enter button,delete button, etc.). The control unit may also include a displayprotector, not shown, that is removably fitted over the display panel toprotect the display panel from damage; however, this is not required.The control unit can also include a hand strap and/or clip connector tofacilitate in the carrying of the control unit; however, this is notrequired. The control unit includes one or more circuits and/ormicroprocessors to operate one or more software and/or hardware programsthat are loaded in the control unit. For example, the control unit mayinclude one or more Intel or AMD processors in combination with variousamounts of data storage memory. An operating system such as MicrosoftWindows Mobile software or the like can be loaded in the control unit.Various other types of software can be loaded in the control unit toenhance the features/operation of the control unit. Such software caninclude, but is not limited to, G.P.S. software, navigation software,wireless communication software, photograph/video software, sound/musicsoftware, sound recording software, file/data transfer software,internet browser software, wordprocessor software, touch screensoftware, database software, spreadsheet software, email software,calendar software, address book software, security software, datamanagement software, and the like. The control unit also includessoftware that is used to calibrate, diagnose problems, control and/ormonitor the measuring unit, and/or to receive and/or transmitinformation between the control unit and measuring unit. The controlunit may also include software to process the information received fromthe measuring unit to provide additional information about the landfillwell. The control unit also includes wireless technology to transferinformation between the control unit and the measuring unit (e.g.,802.11 wireless technology, Blue tooth technology, IR technology, etc.).The control unit can include other optional components such as, but notlimited to, camera, microphone, speaker, indicators (e.g., battery levelindicator, on/off indicator, etc.), power pack compartment that is usedto store one or more rechargeable energy cells, one or more connectionports (e.g., fire wire, USB, serial cable, phone cable, ethernet cable,etc.), one or more expansion slots (e.g., Type1 and/or Type II expansionslots), etc.

In operation, the control unit can be used to control most, if not all,of the operations of the measuring unit once the measuring unit has beenconnected to the landfill well. As such, an operator is able to remotelymonitor and/or control the measuring unit. This is a significantimprovement over prior art portable monitors wherein the operator had tobe positioned next to the single portable monitor in order to monitorthe operation of the single portable monitor, control the operation ofthe single portable monitor, and to take measurements from the singleportable monitor.

Referring now to FIG. 4, another non-limiting embodiment of themeasuring unit 200 of the portable monitor 100 is illustrated. Themeasuring unit is a relatively small and light unit. The measuring unittypically has a weight of less than about 5 lbs, and a total volume ofless than about 200 cubic inches. The housing 202 of the measuring unitis made of a durable material that protects the internal components ofthe measuring unit from damage. A protective material 204 can bepositioned about all or a portion of the top, bottom and side edges ofthe housing so as to provide additional protection to the housing;however, this is not required. The protective material can be formed ofrubber, plastic, foam, etc. Generally the protective material is adurable material and a flexible material that can absorb a force that isapplied to the housing such as an object bumping into the housing or themeasuring unit being dropped on the ground. The measuring unit isdesigned to be used in a wide variety of environments. The measuringunit typically has an Ingress Protection Rating of at least IP67. Themeasuring unit is typically designed to operate in temperatures as lowas about −20° F., and as high as about 120° F. The housing of themeasuring unit can include one or more slots and/or connectors, notshown, to facilitate in removably connecting the housing to a wellstructure or the like so that the measuring unit can be convenientlymounted in a temporary fashion during the testing the landfill well;however, this is not required.

The top face 210 of housing 202 includes several buttons, lightindicators, ports, etc. As can be appreciated, the location of one ormore buttons, light indicators, ports, etc. on the housing isnon-limiting. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the front or top face of thehousing includes a power button 212. An LED light 214 is positioned nextto the power button; however, this is not required. The LED light can beused to indicate whether the power to the measuring unit has beenactivated or deactivated. The front or top face of the housing includesa Bluetooth button 216. An LED light 214 is positioned next to theBluetooth button; however, this is not required. The LED light can beused to indicate whether the Bluetooth feature has been activated ordeactivated, and/or can be used to indicate whether a Bluetoothconnection has been established. The front or top face of the housingincludes several LED lights 220 which are used to indicate the powerlevel of the power source for the measuring unit. The LED lights can bedifferent colored lights to indicate different power levels; however,this is not required. The front or top face of the housing includes anLED light 222 to indicate whether the power source of the measuring unitis being charged; however, this is not required. As can be appreciated,one or more of the above mentioned buttons and/or lights can be replacedby a screen and/or touch screen arrangement. When a screen and/or atouch screen is used, additional features can be accessed and/ordisplayed on such screen and/or touch screen arrangement (e.g., statusof one or more pressure sensors, status of one or more pumps, status ofone or more chemical analyzers, status of one or more heating pads,status of one or more thermocouples, status of data transfer between themeasuring unit and control unit or some other unit, exteriortemperature, temperature of one or more components in the housing,temperature in the housing, malfunction or error status, testing status,information about components in the measuring unit, information aboutsoftware used in the measuring unit, power level status, Bluetoothstatus, GPS information, etc.). As can be appreciated, one or more typesof information listed above and/or other types of information can bealternatively or additionally sent to the control unit for display onthe control unit; however, this is not required.

The bottom portion of the front or top face of the housing includes fourgas/liquid ports 230, 232, 234, 236. Port 230 is an exhaust port and isused to exhaust gasses/liquids that were previously drawn into themeasuring unit via ports 232, 234 and/or 236. Port 232 is a port that isto be connected to the well via a tube so as to measure the available(system) vacuum that is being applied to the well. Port 234 is port thatis to be connected to the ell via a tube so as to measure thedifferential pressure on the well. This port is also referred to as theimpact port. Port 236 is a port that is to be connected to the well viaa tube so as to measure the static wellhead pressure of the well. Ports232, 234 and/or 236 can also be used to calibrate one or more componentsin the measuring unit (e.g., pressure sensors, chemical analyzers, etc.)and/or be used to draw samples of gas/liquid from the well into themeasuring unit; however, this is not required. In one non-limitingarrangement, port 236 is also used to receive calibration gas and toreceive gas/liquid samples from the well. As can be appreciated, themeasuring unit can include additional ports (e.g., sample port,calibration port, etc.).

The bottom portion of the front or top face of the housing includes acharge port 240 that is used to charge the power source in the measuringunit. A removable cap 242 is used to protect the charge port. The bottomportion of the front or top face of the housing includes a thermistorport 244 and a cap 246. The thermistor port houses a resistor thatprevents overheating or other types of damage to the electricalcomponents in the measuring unit. The bottom portion of the front or topface of the housing includes a communication port 248 (e.g., USB port,serial port, firewire port, etc.) that can be used to connect acommination cable to the measuring unit so that data can be transferredfrom and/or to the measuring unit. As illustrated in FIG. 4, thecommunication port is in the from of a serial port; however, this is notrequired. As can be appreciated, data to and/or from the measuring unitcan be transferred/received wirelessly; however, this is not required.

The measuring unit includes at least three chemical analyzers toidentify and measure the amount of methane, oxygen and carbon dioxide inthe fluid being drawn from the landfill well. The measuring unitincludes two infrared gas analyzers, one each to identify and measuremethane and carbon dioxide. As such, three different gasses can besimultaneously identified and/or measured by the measuring unit of thepresent invention. The measuring unit includes one electrochemical gasanalyzer to identify and measure oxygen. As can be appreciated,different types of gas analyzers can be used to identify and measure themethane, carbon dioxide and oxygen in the fluid stream flowing throughthe landfill well; however, this is not required. As can also beappreciated, one or more additional chemical analyzers can be used toidentify and measure other gasses in the fluid stream; however, this isnot required. If more than three chemical analyzers are included in themeasuring unit, then the measuring unit can be used to simultaneouslyidentify and/or measure more than three different gasses. In addition tothe identifying and/or measuring the concentration of components of thelandfill fluid, the measuring unit and/or control unit can be used tocalculate and/or measure the lower explosive limit (LEL) and/or upperexplosive limit (UEL) of the landfill fluid.

The measuring unit includes at least three pressure sensors so as to beable to simultaneously measure up to three different pressures on thelandfill well. In one non-limiting arrangement, the measuring unitincludes more than three pressure sensors (e.g., four, five, six, etc.).The additional pressure sensors can be used to enable the measuring unitto measure more than three different pressure from the landfill well;however, this is not required. Alternatively or additionally, the one ormore additional pressure sensors can be used to obtain more accuratepressure readings. For example, the measuring unit can include one ormore pressure sensors that are designed for use within a certainpressure range. As such, the measuring unit can include a logic circuitand/or microprocessor to activate/deactivate certain pressure sensorsand/or direct fluid to certain pressure sensors based on a detectedfluid pressure so that a certain pressure sensor that is designed toaccurately measure pressure within a certain pressure range is used tomeasure the fluid pressure. In one non-limiting arrangement, themeasuring unit includes five pressure sensors and at least two pressuresensors are designed to have a preferred pressure measuring range thatis different from the preferred pressure measuring range of at leasttwo, and typically three of the other pressure sensors. The measuringunit generally includes a single pump that is used to draw fluid intothe measuring unit and expel fluid from the measuring unit. As can beappreciated, the measuring unit can include a plurality of pumps.

The measuring unit includes a plurality of heating elements or pads thatare designed to maintain a minimum temperature of the components withinthe housing of the measuring unit. A plurality of temperature sensors(e.g., thermocouples, etc.) are positioned through the interior of thehousing so as to obtain temperature readings in various regions of thehousing interior. Generally the temperature sensors are positioned on ornear important components in the housing (e.g., pressure sensors, pump,chemical analyzers, microprocessor, etc.). The temperature sensors areused to activate/deactivate one or more of the heating elements or padsin the housing. A resistor and/or microprocessor can be used toactivate/deactivate one or more of the heating elements or pads. In onenon-limiting arrangement, a microprocessor is used toactivate/deactivate one or more of the heating elements or pads in thehousing based on a low and/or high threshold temperature that isdetected by one or more of the temperature sensors. For example, if themicroprocessor receives information from one or more of the temperaturesensors that a temperature is at or below a certain low thresholdtemperature, then the microprocessor causes one or more of the heatingelements or pads to be activated. If the microprocessor receivesinformation from one or more of the temperature sensors that atemperature is at or above a certain high threshold temperature, thenthe microprocessor causes one or more of the heating elements or pads tobe deactivated. In another non-limiting arrangement, the interior of thehousing of the measuring unit includes N number of temperature sensorswherein N is three or more in value. The microprocessor is designed tocause all or a majority of the heating elements or pads in the housingto be activated when the microprocessor receives information from amajority or all of the N number of temperature sensors that atemperature is at or below a certain low threshold temperature. Also,the microprocessor is designed to cause all or a majority of the heatingelements or pads in the housing to be deactivated when themicroprocessor receives information from a majority or all of the Nnumber of temperature sensors that a temperature is at or above acertain high threshold temperature. The control of the heating pads canbe from one or more microprocessors in the measuring unit and/or fromone or more microprocessors in the control unit.

The measuring unit includes one or more circuits and/or microprocessorsto operate one or more software and/or hardware programs in themeasuring unit, and/or one or more components in the measuring unit(e.g., calibration hardware/software, flowrate calculationhardware/software, BTU calculation software, gas analysishardware/software, communication hardware/software, mode of operationhardware/software, pump, chemical analyzer, temperature detector,heating pad, thermocouple, etc.).

The measuring unit can optionally include one or more filters that areused to inhibit or prevent materials other than fluid from contactingthe chemical analyzers and/or pressure sensors. Such foreign material(e.g., dirt, solid particles, etc.) can damage and/or interfere with theproper operation of the chemical analyzers and/or pressure sensors. Inone non-limiting arrangement, the measuring unit includes two filters.The filters can be designed to be replaced. The measuring unit caninclude a display and/or send information to the control unit so as toinform a user when to replace one or more filters; however, this is notrequired.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a control unit 400 of theportable monitor 100. The control unit is a portable handheld devicethat is used to a) at least partially control the operation of measuringunit 200; b) to obtain information, process informationobtained/measured by the measuring unit 200, and/or c) monitor theoperation of the measuring unit 200. As can be appreciated, the controlunit can have other or additional uses. The communication betweencontrol unit 400 and measuring unit 200 is typically wireless; however,a cable connection using a cable can be optionally used to connecttogether the control unit and the measuring unit.

The control unit is typically sized and configured like a typical PDAdevice, Palm PC device or BLACKBERRY device; however, the control unitcan be sized and configured in other ways. In one non-limitingconfiguration, the control unit is a customized TRIMBLE NOMAD handhelddevice. These types of devices are desirable due to their small,lightweight and rugged design. The housing 402 of the control unit ismade of a durable material that protects the internal components of thecontrol unit from damage. A protective material 404 can be positionedabout all or a portion of the top, bottom and side edges of the housingso as to provide additional protection to the housing; however, this isnot required. The protective material can be formed of rubber, plastic,foam, etc. Generally the protective material is a durable material and aflexible material that can absorb a force that is applied to the housingsuch as an object bumping into the housing or the control unit beingdropped on the ground. The control unit is designed to be used in a widevariety of environments. The control unit typically has an IngressProtection Rating of at least IP67. The control unit is typicallydesigned to operate in temperatures as low as about −20° F., and as highas about 140° F. The control unit typically has a weight and size thatis less than the measuring unit. Typically, the control unit has aweight of less than about 1.5 lbs, and a volume of less than about 75cubic inches.

The top face 410 of the housing of the control unit includes a displayscreen 420 (LED display, VGA display, etc.). The display screen may be ablack and white or a color display. The display screen may or may not bea touch screen. The display screen is designed to enable an operator toview various types of information. The display may include touch screenfeatures to enable an operator to a) enter information into the controlunit, b) access information from the control unit, c) access informationfrom the measuring unit, and/or d) send information to the measuringunit; however, this is not required. A stylus pen or the like, notshown, may be used with the touch screen features of the display tofacilitate in the operation of the control unit; however, this is notrequired. The top face of the control unit also includes several buttons430 that are used to operate one or more functions/features of thecontrol unit (e.g, power on/off button, cursor button, function button,enter button, delete button, text buttons, character buttons, numericbuttons, etc.). The control unit may also include a display protector,not shown, that is removably fitted over the display screen to protectthe display screen from damage; however, this is not required. Thecontrol unit can also include a hand strap and/or clip connector tofacilitate in the carrying of the control unit; however, this is notrequired.

The control unit can also include one or more speakers, microphones,power connectors, communication ports, memory slots, scanners, cameras,and the like; however, this is not required.

The control unit includes one or more circuits and/or microprocessors tooperate one or more software and/or hardware programs that are loaded inthe control unit. For example, the control unit may include one or moreIntel or AMD processors in combination with various amounts of datastorage memory. An operating system such as Microsoft Windows Mobilesoftware or the like can be loaded in the control unit. Various othertypes of software can be loaded in the control unit to enhance thefeatures/operation of the control unit. Such software can include, butis not limited to, G.P.S. software, navigation software, wirelesscommunication software, photograph/video software, sound/music software,sound recording software, file/data transfer software, internet browsersoftware, wordprocessor software, touch screen software, databasesoftware, spreadsheet software, email software, calendar software,address book software, security software, data management software,Microsoft Office software, active sync software, address books, clock,calendar, scanning software, camera software, voice recognitionsoftware, internet browser, phone software, and the like. The controlunit also includes software that is used to 1) calibrate, diagnoseproblems, control and/or monitor the measuring unit, and/or 2) receiveand/or transmit information between the control unit and measuring unit.The control unit may also include software to process the informationreceived from the measuring unit to provide additional information aboutthe landfill well. The control unit also includes wireless technology totransfer information between the control unit and the measuring unit(e.g., 802.11 wireless technology, Bluetooth technology, IR technology,etc.). The control unit can include other optional components such as,but not limited to, camera, microphone, speaker, indicators (e.g.,battery level indicator, on/off indicator, etc.), power pack compartmentthat is used to store one or more rechargeable energy cells, one or moreconnection ports (e.g., fire wire, USB, serial cable, phone cable,ethernet cable, etc.), one or more expansion slots (e.g., Type1 and/orType II expansion slots), etc.

In operation, the control unit can be used to control most, if not all,of the operations of the measuring unit once the measuring unit has beenconnected to the landfill well. As such, an operator is able to remotelymonitor and/or control the measuring unit. This is a significantimprovement over prior art portable monitors wherein the operator had tobe positioned next to the single portable monitor in order to monitorthe operation of the single portable monitor, control the operation ofthe single portable monitor, and to take measurements from the singleportable monitor.

The control unit is designed to connect wirelessly to the measuringunit; however, a cable connection can be used. The control unittypically includes GPS hardware and software. The GPS feature can beused to guide a user to a particular landfill and/or to a particularlandfill well. The control unit can optionally include a scanner such abar code reader. The scanner can be used to scan information on alandfill well (e.g., bar code, etc.) so as to verify the identity of alandfill well and/or landfill location. In one application, the scanningof an identity label on a landfill well can enable the control unit tocall up past information regarding the landfill well and/or landfillsite (e.g., landfill information, past landfill results, notes aboutlandfill, etc.). Also or alternatively, the control unit can includeRFID hardware and software to detect and RFID tag on the landfill welland/or landfill site. Similar to the identity label, the RFID tag canenable the control unit to call up past information regarding thelandfill well and/or landfill site.

The control unit can include a camera that can be used to take picturesof a landfill well and/or landfill site. Such pictures can be optionallystored in the control unit and be associated with the file for aparticular landfill well and/or landfill site.

The control unit can optionally include a cellular modem to enable thecontrol unit to make and receive calls and/or to connect to theinternet. The control unit may include one or more connectors thatenable the control unit to connect to an ethernet connection forconnection to the internet. The cellular and/or internet connection canbe used to send and/or receive various types of information (e.g.,updates, software fixes, download/upload data between control unit andanother device, etc.).

The control unit includes gas analyzer software that is used to 1)process data received from the measuring unit regarding the fluid flowfrom the well (e.g., fluid composition, etc.), and/or 2) control and/ormonitor the operations of the measuring unit.

Generally, for each landfill well that is tested, the control unitrequires that the user name be entered, and the date and time the testoccurred. This information is stored in the memory of the control unitand is associated with a particular landfill well.

The control unit generally includes calibration software that is used tocalibrate the pressure sensors and/or the chemical analyzers in themeasuring unit. Generally, the chemical analyzers and pressure sensorsshould be calibrated prior to each landfill well being tested. Acalibration gas is generally used to calibrate one or more of thechemical analyzers in the measuring unit.

The identity of a landfill well that is stored in the control unit canbe labeled by at least three different methods, namely, manual inputtedinformation, GPS location, RFID tag or some other identity label. Thecontrol unit can include software to search for a landfill well inmemory using one or more of these labeling methods.

The control unit generally includes software that creates a display onthe display screen to provide information on the progress of theanalyzing of the landfill well. Generally the display screen willidentify the name or identity of the landfill well and information aboutthe fluid flowing from the well (e.g., well temperature, variouspressures from the well, chemical analysis of one or more components ofthe fluid form the well, LEL, UEL, pump status, etc.). For example, onescreen display may provide information about 1) the presence/amount ofmethane, 2) the presence/amount of carbon dioxide, and 3) thepresence/amount of oxygen. The same screen display may optionallyprovide additional information regarding a) balance amount of otherfluid components (e.g., 100%-% methane-% oxygen-% carbon dioxide), b)methane to carbon dioxide ratio, c) balance amount of other fluidcomponents to oxygen ratio, d) well temperature, pump running status, e)available pressure, f) applied pressure, g) differential pressure,and/or h) flow rate of fluid into measuring unit. As can be appreciated,measured values can be presented on more than one screen display. Insuch a arrangement, the user can toggle between two of more displayscreen to cause a particular display to show on the display screen. Inone specific arrangement, one screen display can include informationabout 1) the name or identity of the landfill well, 2) thepresence/amount of methane, 3) the presence/amount of carbon dioxide,and 4) the presence/amount of oxygen; and another screen display caninclude information about a) the name or identity of the landfill well,b) the available pressure of the well, c) applied pressure of the well,and d) the differential pressure of the well. Additional screen displayscan optionally include information about past test results of thelandfill well so that the user can compare present readings to previousreadings. Such historical information can be used by the user to adjustthe well as required.

The control unit can optionally include software that facilitates inproviding warnings to a user and/or identifying information that is notwithin some predefined acceptable ranges. For example, if a) the LELand/or UEL levels for a landfill well, b) balance of gas value, c) ratioof balance gas to oxygen value, d) ratio of methane to carbon dioxidevalue, and/or d) one or more pressure values are equal to or outsidesome predefined limit, the control unit can cause such values to bedisplayed in an enhanced manner (e.g., different font, different color,larger font, flashing or blinking value, etc.), display a warningmessage, and/or cause some audible signal to occur. For instance, whenthe ratio of balanced gas to oxygen value is near or below 4, such avalue can indicate an air leak in a testing hose, in the well and/or theneed to recalibrate or replace a chemical analyzer. Also, when the ratioof methane to carbon dioxide is lower than 1.1, such a ratio mayindicate that stress conditions exist in the landfill and the fluid flowthrough the well rate may need to be adjusted. The ratio may alsoprovide information on the different phases of landfill gas productionfor a particular landfill well. The software used in the control unitcan optionally enable a user to set or adjust one or more of thepredefined values. Such predefined values can be customized fordifferent landfill wells; however, this is not required.

The control unit can optionally include software that enables the userto provide additional information about a particular landfill well. Suchinformation can include, but is not limited to, name of landfill site,name of landfill well, landfill address, GPS location of landfill site,GPS location of landfill well, bar code information, RFID information,landfill well type (e.g., pitot tube, orifice tube, S pitot tube, etc.),pipe size (e.g., 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, etc,) and/or plate size(e.g., 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.24, 1.5, 1.75, etc.).

The control unit can optionally include software to determine if datafor one or more landfill wells was not obtained or fully obtained and/orinput during a certain predefined testing interval. This feature can beused to ensure that all landfill wells are fully and timely monitored.Many landfill wells are generally not monitored on a daily basis. Forsuch landfills that require constant or daily monitoring, portablemonitors are typically not used. Permanent monitoring systems aregenerally setup for such landfill wells. For landfill wells that onlyrequire periodic monitoring (e.g., landfill well that require monitor nomore than once a week), a portable monitor in accordance with thepresent invention is generally used. The portable monitor is designed tobe temporarily connected to a landfill well, conduct the landfill welltest, disconnected from the landfill well, and then moved to anotherlandfill well to test such well. This testing cycle is repeated to testmultiple landfill wells.

The software used by the control unit can be designed to interface withsoftware on another device (e.g., network computer, tablet computer,laptop computer, desktop computer, PDA, etc.) to enable transfer of databetween the control unit and such other devices. Such communication canbe wireless, cable connection, etc. Sync software on the control unitcan optionally be used to facilitate in such communication with otherdevices.

The software on the control unit can provide the user with various typesof warnings (e.g., error codes, visual warnings, audible warnings, etc.)to inform the user that attention may be required during a certainprocedure. The software can also optionally provide warning errors toprovide the user about the status of one or more components of theportable monitor and/or the manner in which the portable monitor isconnected to a landfill well and/or one or more devices. Examples oferrors include:

1) Battery Failure—The battery gauge is displaying erroneous batterydata, as a result of a charging chip failure. Such a failure may affectbattery cut-offs and accurate monitoring.

2) Charging Failure—The charging chip is not shutting off the chargingprocess.

3) Charging Chip Failure—The charging chip is not maintaining a chargerate, which makes the charging process longer.

4) Sensor Failure—The pump, manifold pressure sensor, or either of thetwo IR sensors have stopped operating correctly and are not drawing anycurrent.

5) Excessive Current Draw—Any number of parts may have failed due to ashort or component failure.

6) Pressure Sensor Failure—One of the pressure sensors is reading out ofspec, likely due to an overpressure situation (blown sensor).

7) Low Flow Condition—Improper fluid flow to the measuring unit. Checkthat the sample train hoses are not pinched. Check inline filters andmake sure that they are clear and free from debris and liquids.

8) Oxygen Sensor Failure—Oxygen sensor is out of specification.Potentially bad sensor.

9) Over Pressure error—Pressure applied to pressure sensors are higherthan sensors a specified for. May need to disconnect hoses frommeasurement location and recalibrate sensors. Verify that the pressureon the sample point is within the tolerance of the measuring unit.

10) Battery low Error—Battery charge level is low. Recharge battery.

11) Temperature Error—Measurement Unit is too hot or too cold.

12) Connection Error—Control unit did not properly connect to themeasuring unit.

13) Connection Lost—Control unit lost connection with the measuringunit.

14) Scanner Initialization Error—The scanner function is not active onthe control unit.

15) GPS Error—The GPS function is not active on the control unit or theGPS has not yet connected with the satellites.

16) Failed to find GPS/Barcode match—The GPS function or barcode readeris not active on the control unit.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, andsince certain changes may be made in the constructions set forth withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intendedthat all matter contained in the above description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. The invention has been described with reference topreferred and alternate embodiments. Modifications and alterations willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the detailed discussion of the invention provided herein.This invention is intended to include all such modifications andalterations insofar as they come within the scope of the presentinvention. It is also to be understood that the following claims areintended to cover all of the generic and specific features of theinvention herein described and all statements of the scope of theinvention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

I claim:
 1. A handheld portable monitor that is configured for periodicwell field testing to enable a user to test different landfill wells oneat a time and which said handheld portable monitor is configured toobtain, measure or combinations thereof a plurality of properties offluid flowing in each of the tested individual landfill wells, saidhandheld portable monitor is designed and configured to enable the userto easily and conveniently carry said handheld portable monitor to atesting site of each of the different individual landfill wells to betested to the enable the user to connect said handheld portable monitorto the individual landfill well to be tested and thereafter to enablethe user to disconnect said handheld portable monitor from the testedindividual landfill well and thereafter to enable the user to connectsaid handheld portable monitor to another individual landfill well to betested, said handheld portable monitor has a total weight of less than20 pounds and a total volume of less than 500 cubic inches, saidhandheld portable monitor includes a plurality of fluid connectors thatenable at least a portion of said handheld portable monitor to beremovably connected to the individual landfill well to be tested andthereafter enable said handheld portable monitor to be disconnected fromthe tested individual landfill well after completion of testing and thenlater connected to another individual landfill well to be tested, saidhandheld portable monitor includes a sensor arrangement to obtain, tomeasure or combinations thereof said plurality of properties of saidfluid flowing in the tested individual landfill well, said sensorarrangement includes at least one pressure sensor and at least onechemical analyzer, said plurality of properties of said fluid flows inthe tested individual landfill well to be obtained, measured,calculated, or combinations thereof including two or more propertiesselected from the group consisting of well pressure, well temperature,LEL, UEL, well fluid composition, and composition ratio, said handheldportable monitor includes a circuit, a processor or combinations thereofthat processes information to display, store, measure, calculate, orcombinations thereof said two or more properties, said sensorarrangement in said handheld portable monitor is configured to receiveinformation and is configured to process such information and togenerate one or more types of information that is selected from thegroup consisting of said LEL of fluid, said UEL of fluid, saidconcentration ratio of methane to carbon dioxide, said concentrationratio of balance gas to oxygen, and a LEL value for one or morecomponents in said landfill gas, said handheld portable monitor includesstorage memory to store information about the tested individual landfillwell, the location of the tested individual landfill well, and said twoor more properties that are associated with the tested individuallandfill well.
 2. The handheld portable monitor as defined in claim 1,including an internal power source, said internal power source isconfigured to power components in said handheld portable monitor.
 3. Thehandheld portable monitor as defined in claim 1, including wirelesstechnology to enable said handheld portable monitor to communicate withone or more remote systems selected from the group consisting of theinternet, mobile phone systems, network computers, tablet computers,laptop computers, desktop computers, PDAs, and two or more components ofthe handheld portable monitor that are located remotely from oneanother.
 4. The handheld portable monitor as defined in claim 2,including wireless technology to enable said handheld portable monitorto communicate with one or more remote systems selected from the groupconsisting of the internet, mobile phone systems, network computers,tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, PDAs, and two ormore components of the handheld portable monitor that are located remotefrom one another.
 5. The handheld portable monitor as defined in claim1, including G.P.S. software and hardware for obtaining G.P.S.coordinates for the individual landfill well to be tested or that hasbeen tested.
 6. The handheld portable monitor as defined in claim 4,including G.P.S. software and hardware for obtaining G.P.S. coordinatesfor the individual landfill well to be tested or that has been tested.7. The handheld portable monitor as defined in claim 1, said sensorarrangement in said handheld portable monitor includes a controllerarrangement, a plurality of pressure sensors and a plurality of chemicalanalyzers, one or more of said pressure sensors is configured to measurea different pressure, said controller arrangement is used to controleach of said pressure sensors to enable said handheld portable monitorto simultaneously measure at least three different fluid pressures fromthe tested individual landfill well, each of said chemical analyzers isconfigured to measure a concentration of one or more components in saidfluid from the tested individual landfill well, one or more of saidplurality of said chemical analyzers is configured to measure aconcentration of methane, carbon dioxide and oxygen in said fluid fromthe tested individual landfill well, said fluid pressures includes anapplied vacuum on the tested individual landfill well, a differentialvacuum on the tested individual landfill well, and an available vacuum.8. The handheld portable monitor as defined in claim 6, said sensorarrangement in said handheld portable monitor includes a controllerarrangement, a plurality of pressure sensors and a plurality of chemicalanalyzers, one or more of said pressure sensors is configured to measurea different pressure, said controller arrangement is used to controleach of said pressure sensors to enable said handheld portable monitorto simultaneously measure at least three different fluid pressures fromthe tested individual landfill well, each of said chemical analyzers isconfigured to measure a concentration of one or more components in saidfluid from the tested individual landfill well, one or more of saidplurality of said chemical analyzers is configured to measure aconcentration of methane, carbon dioxide and oxygen in said fluid fromthe tested individual landfill well, said fluid pressures includes anapplied vacuum on the tested individual landfill well, a differentialvacuum on the tested individual landfill well, and an available vacuum.9. The handheld portable monitor as defined in claim 1, wherein saidhandheld portable monitor includes a RFID detection system, a barcodescanning system or combinations thereof that is used to identify thetested individual landfill well.
 10. The handheld portable monitor asdefined in claim 4, wherein said handheld portable monitor includes aRFID detection system, a barcode scanning system or combinations thereofthat is used to identify the tested individual landfill well.
 11. Thehandheld portable monitor as defined in claim 8, wherein said handheldportable monitor includes a RFID detection system, a barcode scanningsystem or combinations thereof that is used to identify the testedindividual landfill well.
 12. The handheld portable monitor as definedin claim 1, wherein said handheld portable monitor includes a displayscreen and a plurality of buttons positioned under said display screen.13. The handheld portable monitor as defined in claim 11, wherein saidhandheld portable monitor includes a display screen and a plurality ofbuttons positioned under said display screen.
 14. The handheld portablemonitor as defined in claim 1, further including a heating system toheat at least one component of said sensor arrangement, said heatingsystem includes a controller arrangement, a thermocouple and a heatingelement, said controller arrangement activates said heating element whensaid controller arrangement obtains information from said thermocouplethat a temperature detected by said thermocouple is at or below apredefined low level temperature.
 15. The handheld portable monitor asdefined in claim 14, wherein said controller arrangement deactivatessaid heating element when said controller arrangement obtainsinformation from said thermocouple that a temperature detected by saidthermocouple is at or above a predefined high level temperature.
 16. Thehandheld portable monitor as defined in claim 14, wherein said heatingsystem includes at least three of said thermocouples, said controllerarrangement activates said heating element when said controllerarrangement obtains information from a majority of said thermocouplesthat a temperature detected by said majority of said thermocouples is ator below a predefined low level temperature.
 17. The handheld portablemonitor as defined in claim 16, wherein said controller arrangementdeactivates said heating element when said controller arrangementobtains information from said majority of said thermocouples that atemperature detected by a majority of said thermocouples is at or abovea predefined high level temperature.
 18. The handheld portable monitoras defined in claim 1, wherein said handheld portable monitor includes ahandheld portable control unit and a handheld portable measuring unit,each of said handheld portable control unit and said handheld portablemeasuring unit are contained in separate housings, said handheldportable control unit is configured to monitor and control one or morefunctions of said handheld portable measuring unit, said handheldportable measuring unit is configured to be removably connected to thetested individual landfill well, said handheld portable control unit isconfigured to be physically disconnected from the individual landfillwell after completion of the testing of the individual landfill well andsubsequently physically connected to another individual landfill well tobe tested, said housing of said handheld portable measuring unit atleast partially contains said sensor arrangement, said housing of saidhandheld portable measuring unit includes said plurality of fluidconnectors, said handheld portable control unit is a tablet PC, a palmPC, a PDA, or a smartphone device, said handheld portable control unitis configured so as to not be required to be physically connected to theindividual landfill well that is being tested while said handheldportable measuring unit is removably connected to the individuallandfill well during testing of the individual landfill well, saidhandheld portable control unit is absent said plurality of fluidconnectors, said handheld portable measuring unit has a weight of lessthan 10 pounds and a volume of less than 300 cubic inches, said handheldportable control unit has a weight of less than 5 pounds and a volume ofless than 100 cubic inches.
 19. The handheld portable monitor as definedin claim 4, wherein said handheld portable monitor includes a handheldportable control unit and a handheld portable measuring unit, each ofsaid handheld portable control unit and said handheld portable measuringunit are contained in separate housings, said handheld portable controlunit is configured to monitor and control one or more functions of saidhandheld portable measuring unit, said handheld portable measuring unitis configured to be removably connected to the tested individuallandfill well, said handheld portable control unit is configured to bephysically disconnected from the individual landfill well aftercompletion of the testing of the individual landfill well andsubsequently physically connected to another individual landfill well tobe tested, said housing of said handheld portable measuring unit atleast partially contains said sensor arrangement, said housing of saidhandheld portable measuring unit includes said plurality of fluidconnectors, said handheld portable control unit is a tablet PC, a palmPC, a PDA, or a smartphone device, said handheld portable control unitis configured so as to not be required to be physically connected to theindividual landfill well that is being tested while said handheldportable measuring unit is removably connected to the individuallandfill well during testing of the individual landfill well, saidhandheld portable control unit is absent said plurality of fluidconnectors, said handheld portable measuring unit has a weight of lessthan 10 pounds and a volume of less than 300 cubic inches, said handheldportable control unit has a weight of less than 5 pounds and a volume ofless than 100 cubic inches.
 20. The handheld portable monitor as definedin claim 13, wherein said handheld portable monitor includes a handheldportable control unit and a handheld portable measuring unit, each ofsaid handheld portable control unit and said handheld portable measuringunit are contained in separate housings, said handheld portable controlunit is configured to monitor and control one or more functions of saidhandheld portable measuring unit, said handheld portable measuring unitis configured to be removably connected to the tested individuallandfill well, said handheld portable control unit is configured to bephysically disconnected from the individual landfill well aftercompletion of the testing of the individual landfill well andsubsequently physically connected to another individual landfill well tobe tested, said housing of said handheld portable measuring unit atleast partially contains said sensor arrangement, said housing of saidhandheld portable measuring unit includes said plurality of fluidconnectors, said handheld portable control unit is a tablet PC, palm PC,PDA, or smartphone device, said handheld portable control unit isconfigured so as to not be required to be physically connected to theindividual landfill well that is being tested while said handheldportable measuring unit is removably connected to the individuallandfill well during testing of the individual landfill well, saidhandheld portable control unit is absent said plurality of fluidconnectors, said handheld portable measuring unit has a weight of lessthan 10 pounds and a volume of less than 300 cubic inches, said handheldportable control unit has a weight of less than 5 pounds and a volume ofless than 100 cubic inches.